XenGamer's Netrunner Guide to "Somewhat Damaged" in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Welcome, fellow Netrunners, to XenGamer's definitive walkthrough for the "Somewhat Damaged" mission in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.

Welcome, fellow Netrunners, to XenGamer's definitive walkthrough for the "Somewhat Damaged" mission in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. This mission throws you into a psychological thriller where stealth is your greatest weapon, and your quickhacking skills are your lifeline. Prepare for a tense, isolated experience as you navigate a hostile facility to unravel the mystery surrounding Songbird's predicament. This guide is tailored for Netrunners looking to complete "Somewhat Damaged" with finesse, minimizing combat and maximizing their hacking potential. Be warned, spoilers abound, so proceed with caution if you haven't experienced this mission yet.

"Somewhat Damaged" triggers after crucial dialogue choices during the "Firestarter" mission. The decisions you make in that mission set the stage for Songbird's desperation and V's subsequent isolation within the facility. This mission is not just about survival; it's about trust, betrayal, and the lengths you'll go to for an ally. Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty.

Step-by-Step Strategy: Ghost in the Machine

This mission is best approached with the mindset of a ghost. Every shadow is your ally, and every camera is a potential tool.

Initial Breach

The warehouse is your initial proving ground. Immediately activate your Optical Camo.

1. Cameras: Prioritize disabling cameras with "Ping" to reveal their locations, followed by "Reboot Optics" to temporarily blind them or "Short Circuit" for a permanent solution.
2. Drones: "Short Circuit" is your best friend here. Drones are fragile and easily dispatched with this quickhack.
3. Heavily Armored Guards: "Cyberware Malfunction" is key to creating chaos and disabling their combat capabilities. Follow up with "Reboot Optics" to further confuse them. Remember to remain cloaked and move strategically between cover.

Braindance Sequence

This is where things get weird. The braindance is corrupted, reflecting Songbird's fractured mental state. When prompted with dialogue during the distorted conversation, always choose the "Trust Songbird" option. This unlocks a crucial bypass code necessary to progress through the mission. Any other choice will lead to roadblocks and unnecessary complications. This choice is a test of faith, and it's essential for the Netrunner path.

Stealth Route Through the Facility

The facility is a labyrinth guarded by the Cerberus unit and numerous guards. Your best bet is to stick to the shadows, utilizing vents and maintenance tunnels wherever possible. I've marked the safest route on the map below.

1. Patrol Patterns: Observe enemy patrol patterns. Patience is paramount. Use "Ping" to maintain awareness of their locations.
2. Vents & Tunnels: These are your highways. Look for them meticulously; they provide safe passage past heavily guarded areas.
3. "Whistle" Quickhack: Use "Whistle" to lure guards away from key areas, creating opportunities for you to slip past undetected.
4. "Reboot Optics": A quick burst of "Reboot Optics" will buy you precious seconds to reposition or disable guards that are too close for comfort.

Cerberus Encounter

This is where your Netrunner skills are truly put to the test. Cerberus is a formidable opponent, but not invincible. You have a few options:

• Stealth Takedown: This requires precise timing and a fully charged "Synapse Burnout." Weaken Cerberus with "Cyberware Malfunction" to reduce its defenses and increase the effectiveness of "Synapse Burnout". Once stunned, move in for a takedown. It's risky but satisfying.

• Environmental Exploitation: The facility is littered with explosive barrels and electrical panels. Use these to your advantage. Lure Cerberus near these hazards and detonate them with a quickhack or a well-placed shot. "Weapon Glitch" is essential to disable Cerberus’s most powerful attacks, especially its missile launcher.

Escape Sequence

Once you've dealt with Cerberus, the escape is relatively straightforward, but don't get complacent.

1. Override Terminal: Locate the override terminal (marked on the map). Interact with it to unlock the exit.
2. "System Reset": Any remaining enemies can be quickly neutralized with "System Reset."
3. Fastest Route: Follow the marked route on your minimap to the exit. Keep your Optical Camo active and be ready to use "Reboot Optics" if necessary.

Dialogue Choices

Your dialogue choices throughout "Somewhat Damaged" have consequences, primarily affecting your relationship with Songbird.

Dialogue Choice	Consequence
"Trust Songbird" (Braindance)	Unlocks bypass code, strengthens relationship.
"Doubt Songbird" (Braindance)	Hinders progress, weakens relationship.
Choices during the exit conversation	Affect the ending and Songbird's fate. (Too many variables to list here).

Tips and Tricks for the Master Netrunner

• Cyberware Optimization:

  • Memory Boost & RAM Reallocation: Essential for maximizing your quickhack capacity.
  • Bioconductor: Reduces quickhack cooldowns, allowing you to chain abilities more effectively.

• Quickhack Prioritization:

  • Short Circuit: Versatile damage dealer against drones and weaker enemies.
  • Cyberware Malfunction: Cripples heavily armored guards and robots.
  • Reboot Optics: Blinds enemies, providing crucial opportunities.
  • Weapon Glitch: Prevents Cerberus from using its most devastating attacks.
  • System Reset: Instant takedown on most enemies.
  • Synapse Burnout: Powerful burst damage against Cerberus, especially when fully charged.
  • Chaining: Start with Cyberware Malfunction to weaken defenses, then follow up with Synapse Burnout for maximum impact.

• Avoiding Common Mistakes:

  • Alarms: Avoid triggering alarms at all costs. Reinforcements will flood the facility, making stealth nearly impossible.
  • Saving Frequently: Save often, especially before entering new areas or engaging with Cerberus.

PC-Specific Notes: Maximizing Performance in Phantom Liberty

Phantom Liberty pushes PC hardware to its limits. Getting the optimal balance between visual fidelity and performance can be tricky.

Ray Tracing Overdrive and DLSS 3.5 Deep Dive

Phantom Liberty boasts stunning visuals with Ray Tracing Overdrive, but it comes at a significant performance cost. DLSS 3.5 Frame Generation can help mitigate this, but it's essential to understand how these technologies work.

• Ray Tracing Overdrive: This mode provides the most realistic lighting and reflections, dramatically enhancing the game's atmosphere. However, it's extremely demanding on your GPU.

  

• DLSS 3.5 Frame Generation: This technology uses AI to generate additional frames, significantly boosting your FPS. However, it can introduce visual artifacts and increase input latency if not configured correctly.

• Optimal Settings:

  • For RTX 4000 series cards, a good starting point is setting Ray Tracing to "Ultra" and enabling DLSS Quality mode with Frame Generation.

• Troubleshooting:

  • Visual Artifacts: If you experience visual artifacts, try lowering the DLSS sharpness setting or disabling Frame Generation.
  • Stuttering: Ensure your drivers are up to date and close any unnecessary background applications.

Trauma Team Cut Content Mod

While I can't provide a specific mod for "Restored Trauma Team" as it's hypothetical, I can speak to similar mods that restore cut content. These mods often delve into the lore and world-building aspects of Cyberpunk 2077. If a mod like this becomes available, search for it on popular modding sites like Nexus Mods. Instructions will typically involve using tools like Cyber Engine Tweaks to install and configure the mod. These types of mods can offer enhance the player's understanding of the Cyberpunk universe.

Control Remapping

Remap your quickhack selection wheel to easily accessible keys. This allows for faster access to your crucial abilities during tense moments. Consider using your mouse's extra buttons (if available) for quickhacks like "Reboot Optics" or "Short Circuit."

Conclusion

Completing "Somewhat Damaged" unlocks significant rewards. You progress the main story, gain crucial information about Songbird's past and motivations, and potentially unlock new side quests depending on your dialogue choices. This mission is a masterclass in psychological horror and stealth gameplay, and mastering it as a Netrunner is a truly rewarding experience.

Now get out there, Netrunner, and show Dogtown what you're made of. Remember to stay frosty and trust your instincts. Good luck, and happy hacking!